Candyce Lucien Rusk

Candyce Lucien Rusk

Candyce Lucien Rusk’s plays and musicals have been staged throughout the US and
Dublin, including productions/workshops at the Minneapolis Playwrights Center,
Hyde Park Theatre, Ground Floor Theatre, The Vortex, Creede Repertory
Theater, and the Provincetown Theater. Candyce has garnered best of fest
awards for ROSETTA, DICE, A SHINING ATTRIBUTE and RIVERVIEW RITZ.
LITTLE...
Candyce Lucien Rusk’s plays and musicals have been staged throughout the US and
Dublin, including productions/workshops at the Minneapolis Playwrights Center,
Hyde Park Theatre, Ground Floor Theatre, The Vortex, Creede Repertory
Theater, and the Provincetown Theater. Candyce has garnered best of fest
awards for ROSETTA, DICE, A SHINING ATTRIBUTE and RIVERVIEW RITZ.
LITTLE BABY TWO SHOES was adapted into a short film by filmmaker Paul
Bright, and fringe plays I HUNGA and TWO TOUCANETS showcased by Glass
Half Full Theatre-Puppetry of Objects and Ideas. Current projects include the
original musical ROSETTA, based on the iconic guitarist/performer Rosetta
Tharpe with Craig Toungate, DEADLY NIGHTSHADE, an
exploration of the frontierswomen of the West, and a contemporary new work,
TAYLOR, TEXAS. Candyce’s work is supported in part through multi-year Austin
Cultural Division Contract Funding and ScriptWorks. A member of the Dramatists
Guild, International Centre for Women Playwrights and ScriptWorks, Candyce
lives in Austin, Texas.

Plays

  • ROSETTA, the musical by Candyce Lucien Rusk
    Cast: 
    5–11
    ·
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic + 4 more
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    Keyword: musical
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic, drama, musical, period, young audiences
    Keyword: musical
    ROSETTA is a musical inspired by forgotten Black pioneering guitarist and performer, Rosetta Tharpe. Known for her wild artistic genius and living between the folds of sanctity and sin, ROSETTA's original score and script reveals the conflict and joy of a woman ahead of her time, but commanding the way. Libretto and music by Candyce Lucien Rusk. Music and additional lyrics by Craig Toungate. Supported in...
    ROSETTA is a musical inspired by forgotten Black pioneering guitarist and performer, Rosetta Tharpe. Known for her wild artistic genius and living between the folds of sanctity and sin, ROSETTA's original score and script reveals the conflict and joy of a woman ahead of her time, but commanding the way. Libretto and music by Candyce Lucien Rusk. Music and additional lyrics by Craig Toungate. Supported in part by the Austin Cultural Arts Division and ScriptWorks.
  • TAYLOR, TEXAS by Candyce Lucien Rusk
    Cast: 
    7
    ·
    Genre: biography, comedy + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: 20th century history, country icons + 4 more
    Genre: biography, comedy, drama
    Keyword: 20th century history, country icons, Texas, characters over 45, Dottie West, dramcom
    TAYLOR, TEXAS, a full-length play with music by Candyce Lucien Rusk is set in a semi-rural Texas town, 30 miles from Austin. Named for a railroad king and once booming with cotton gins, Taylor is now a vaunted barbeque destination. Old Bill’s Railroad Tap & BBQ slowly decays under a highway ramp, regularly assaulted by the passing trains and high-minded tourists. Inside, the aging town regulars carry on,...
    TAYLOR, TEXAS, a full-length play with music by Candyce Lucien Rusk is set in a semi-rural Texas town, 30 miles from Austin. Named for a railroad king and once booming with cotton gins, Taylor is now a vaunted barbeque destination. Old Bill’s Railroad Tap & BBQ slowly decays under a highway ramp, regularly assaulted by the passing trains and high-minded tourists. Inside, the aging town regulars carry on, living alongside the myths of love, America, the tale of country star Dottie West while holding two secrets. One, the paternity of everyone’s son, Little Trouble, and the mysterious ingredient in Old Bill’s barbeque sauce. A seven hander, with 3 females and 4 males, four of the characters are over 45 years of age. Run time: approximately 90 minutes. Development supported in part by the Austin Cultural Arts Division.
  • DEADLY NIGHTSHADE by Candyce Lucien Rusk
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: adventure, dark comedy + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: 18th century women's history, women on the frontier + 2 more
    Genre: adventure, dark comedy, drama, period, political
    Keyword: 18th century women's history, women on the frontier, atmosphere, lesbian relationships
    A restless band of frontierswomen survive on rooty tea and grit, plotting to steal back their newly minted women’s settlement of Wish Key. Driven to boldness by stories of the outlaws known as the Deadly Nightshade, their world spins wildly when the real legends show up. The play is largely atmospheric, incorporating elements of media and film, enhancing the play's experience. Original western score...
    A restless band of frontierswomen survive on rooty tea and grit, plotting to steal back their newly minted women’s settlement of Wish Key. Driven to boldness by stories of the outlaws known as the Deadly Nightshade, their world spins wildly when the real legends show up. The play is largely atmospheric, incorporating elements of media and film, enhancing the play's experience. Original western score available by composer Tyler Mabry.

  • GREAT AMERICAN DREAMERS by Candyce Lucien Rusk
    Recommendations: 2
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    Cast: 
    5–8
    ·
    Genre: drama, period + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: Mid century immigration, Chicago + 3 more
    Genre: drama, period, political, tragedy
    Keyword: Mid century immigration, Chicago, class struggle, Great Migration, music of Sam Cooke..
    GREAT AMERICAN DREAMERS consists of two plays, LULU’S CHARMS IN THE DARK and
    RIVERVIEW RITZ. Set decades apart in the same Chicago employee boarding house located in the once-grand Riverview Amusement Park, the roommates are thrown together in sparse living quarters. While the poverty and very real chaos that exists outside of park gates is seldom forgotten, each character strives toward the promise of...
    GREAT AMERICAN DREAMERS consists of two plays, LULU’S CHARMS IN THE DARK and
    RIVERVIEW RITZ. Set decades apart in the same Chicago employee boarding house located in the once-grand Riverview Amusement Park, the roommates are thrown together in sparse living quarters. While the poverty and very real chaos that exists outside of park gates is seldom forgotten, each character strives toward the promise of the illusive high life. Their struggles to achieve ease and riches varies, yet all are imbued with a sense of hope. They are the great American Dreamers.
  • A SHINING ATTRIBUTE by Candyce Lucien Rusk
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    1–2
    ·
    Genre: drama, period + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: burlesque, Combat Zone in Boston + 1 more
    Genre: drama, period, tragedy
    Keyword: burlesque, Combat Zone in Boston, lesbian love
    A one act, solo work for a female, A SHINING ATTRIBUTE uncorks the story of BIJOU, a spirit inhabiting a former burlesque house in Boston's Combat Zone. In the early 70s, burlesque made way for near nakedness, and BIJOU rode the wave thru abusive and a final loving romance, consorting with Greek mob boss Black Jack for her survival. Can be paired with a stage band: percussion and horns (trumpet, sax).
  • ROOF OF STARS by Candyce Lucien Rusk
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic
    ·
    Keyword: Elizabet Ney, sculptor + 6 more
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic
    Keyword: Elizabet Ney, sculptor, Art and Artists, Female Artists, death mask, reluctant assistant, mature women, Texas history
    In this very short but powerful play, Texas sculptor Elizabet Ney must render a death mask, a necessary task to for the most authentic statue. She shows Maxy, her reluctant assistant, the ropes.
  • LITTLE BABY TWO SHOES by Candyce Lucien Rusk
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, docudrama/historic + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: Little Baby Two Shoes, Death Penalty + 2 more
    Genre: dark comedy, docudrama/historic, drama, tragedy
    Keyword: Little Baby Two Shoes, Death Penalty, closet, limbo
    A short, haunted two-hander. During a death row exchange between CORA and ETTA JAY, a little soul is let go from limbo. Based on a true event where a mother keep the remains of her baby in a closet for a decade. Neighbors moved constantly, bothered by the cries of Little Baby Two Shoes.
  • KID'S EYE VIEW by Candyce Lucien Rusk
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, holiday + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: Psychic kid, Texas + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, holiday, musical, young audiences
    Keyword: Psychic kid, Texas, holiday, White Christmas, San Antonio, Candyce Lucien Rusk, delightful
    Trace is a kid gifted with psychic abilities (I Can See). When Trace perceives dang hot San Antonio will have a white Christmas (Out the Window), Trace's mother cautions silence (More Roses Than Thorns). Once big radio personality Tex Lomax hears about Trace's prediction (No Snow In San Antonio), Trace is invited on air to share it. Libretto by Candyce Lucien Rusk, music by Bryce Louviere.